ATREE Regional Office

09/10/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚–𝐍𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), in collaboration with the Wildlife Division, Sukna Range, Darjeeling, organised a two-day capacity-building training for Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) from India and Nepal on 8–9 October 2026 at Sukna, Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Held under the project “Piloting Holistic Human–Elephant Coexistence Solutions in the Kangchenjunga Landscape – India,” funded by ICIMOD, the training focused on biodiversity conservation, identifying potential indicators of illegal wildlife trade, safe reporting procedures, wildlife protection laws, and coordination with relevant enforcement agencies.

By strengthening the capacities of community-based response teams and frontline forest personnel, the initiative promotes community participation, cross-border cooperation, and human–wildlife coexistence across the Khangchendzonga Landscape.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬!

05/10/2026

Landscape restoration in the Himalaya requires moving beyond isolated plantation drives towards long-term, landscape-level approaches that integrate biodiversity, climate resilience, livelihoods and community stewardship. This workshop brought together diverse institutions and practitioners from across the region to advance that conversation.

Thank you to Summit Times for sharing the news and helping bring greater visibility to this important discussion on Himalayan landscape restoration.

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), through The Himalaya Initiative, organised a three-day international technical workshop from September 29 to October 1 in Gangtok on developing a strategic framework and operational manual for landscape restoration in the Himalaya.

The workshop brought together scientists, government forest officials, conservation organisations, researchers and restoration practitioners from India, Nepal and Bhutan to discuss challenges including climate change, habitat fragmentation, land-use change, natural hazards and livelihood vulnerabilities.

A key focus of the workshop was the need to move beyond plantation targets and tree-counting towards landscape-level restoration that integrates ecological recovery, biodiversity, water security and livelihoods. Experts also stressed the importance of placing local communities at the centre of restoration planning, implementation and long-term stewardship.

The workshop also focused on developing an operational approach involving scientific monitoring, native species and community nurseries, land-tenure consent, adaptive management and socio-economic outcomes. It concluded with a field visit to Panbu and Toplang in Kalimpong, where participants engaged with local communities and observed restoration efforts on the ground.

05/10/2026

Landscape restoration in the Himalaya requires moving beyond isolated plantation drives towards long-term, landscape-level approaches that integrate biodiversity, climate resilience, livelihoods and community stewardship. This workshop brought together diverse institutions and practitioners from across the region to advance that conversation.

Thank you to Hamro Varta Television for sharing the news and helping bring greater visibility to this important discussion on Himalayan landscape restoration.

05/10/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤

In India, the idea emerged in 1952 as a way to build public awareness and support for wildlife conservation. It became Wildlife Day in 1955, evolved into a week-long observance in 1957, and by 1959, the first week of October was established as Wildlife Week.

What began as an effort to help people know, appreciate and care about wildlife has evolved into something much bigger.
Today, Wildlife Week can be a time to ask harder questions:

How do we protect habitats while sustaining livelihoods?
How do we move from conflict to coexistence?
How do we restore landscapes, not just species?
How do we make conservation something people participate in—not simply something done for them?

At ATREE, we are trying to engage with these difficult questions through research, innovation and the development of practical approaches for conservation and sustainable landscapes, bringing together ecological knowledge, social realities and the needs of people and wildlife.

Because conservation cannot remain only about protecting what we have.

It must also be about understanding what is changing, why it is changing, and how we can create better futures for both people and nature.

02/10/2026

As the Himalayan region faces increasing landslides, mudslides, floods and other environmental disruptions, understanding the changing mountain ecosystem has never been more important.

We are pleased to share this insightful video podcast featuring Dr Nakul Chettri, Associate Director, ATREE-THI, who reflects on the ecological challenges facing the Himalayas and the need for conservation, restoration and sustainable development.

Thank you to Summit Times for bringing this important conversation to a wider audience.

Watch the full conversation and join the discussion on the future of our mountains.

02/10/2026

| EXCLUSIVE
In recent years, Sikkim and other Himalayan regions have witnessed landslides, mudslides, floods and other natural disasters, raising growing concerns over the vulnerability of the fragile mountain environment and its ecosystems.

In this video podcast, we speak with senior ecologist Dr. Nakul Chettri, Senior Fellow and Associate Director, The Himalaya Initiative, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Regional Office, Gangtok, Sikkim, to understand the ecological challenges facing the Himalayas, the impact of natural disasters on mountain ecosystems, and the importance of conservation, restoration and sustainable development in the region.

01/10/2026

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚

The ATREE Regional Office, Gangtok, convened a technical workshop on Developing a Strategic Framework and Manual for Landscape Restoration in the Himalaya from 29 September–1 October 2026, with the support of Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST), Mountains to Mangroves, and Conservation International.

The workshop brought together representatives from research institutions, government agencies, conservation organisations and civil society from India, Nepal and Bhutan, creating a platform to share regional experiences and strengthen a common approach to landscape restoration.

The workshop featured perspectives and experiences from organisations including G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, North-Eastern Hill University, WWF-India, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Wildlife Institute Of India, Dehradoon, Zoo Outreach Organisation, Nature Conservation Foundation, Red Panda Network (Nepal), Bhutan Ecological Society, ibehindtheink, Conservation International and government forest and environment departments from Sikkim and West Bengal.

Across the workshop, discussions focused on moving beyond plantation-based restoration towards landscape-level approaches that integrate ecological recovery, biodiversity, livelihoods and community stewardship.

Key areas of discussion included:

Community ownership and traditional ecological knowledge

Ecological connectivity and landscape-level restoration

Native species and community-based nurseries

Baseline assessment, monitoring and adaptive management

Livelihood integration and long-term community stewardship

Restoration across forests, grasslands, wetlands, agricultural and riverine ecosystems

Lessons from restoration initiatives across the Himalayan region

Regional case studies from Nepal, Bhutan, Agasthyamalai and Himachal Pradesh offered practical insights into community-led habitat restoration, ecosystem recovery, biodiversity conservation and livelihood integration.

The workshop also focused on translating the proposed framework into a practical Operational Manual, with participants collectively refining approaches to feasibility and consent, baseline benchmarking, nursery operations, outplanting, monitoring and adaptive management.

The programme continues with a field visit to the ATREE Restoration Site at Panbu on 1 October 2026, providing participants an opportunity to engage directly with restoration work on the ground and connect the workshop's discussions with practical field experience.

ATREE Regional Office, Gangtok, extends its appreciation to all participating organisations, institutions and supporting partners for contributing their knowledge and experience towards developing a practical and adaptable framework for restoration across Himalayan landscapes.

28/09/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 | 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚

More than 35 representatives from academic institutions, government departments, civil society organisations, and field practitioners will convene in Gangtok, Sikkim, from 29 September to 1 October 2026 for a three-day technical workshop on:

“𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚”

Organised by the ATREE Regional Office, Gangtok, and supported by the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST), Conservation International, and Mountains to Mangroves, the workshop brings together diverse expertise and experiences to explore approaches for landscape restoration that are grounded in science, informed by practice, and responsive to local contexts.

The workshop will also bring together participants from Bhutan and Nepal, alongside practitioners and institutions working across the Himalayan region. Their participation will help facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and approaches across national and institutional boundaries.

Over three days, participants will engage in discussions around the principles, practices, challenges, and opportunities associated with landscape restoration, with the aim of contributing towards a strategic framework and practical manual for landscape restoration in the Himalaya.

Venue: Lemon Tree Hotel, Gangtok, Sikkim
Dates: 29 September – 1 October 2026
35+ participants | India • Bhutan • Nepal

Bringing knowledge, practice, and perspectives together for healthier Himalayan landscapes.

28/09/2026

𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The ATREE Regional Office was represented at the Eastern Himalayas Conference 2026, organised by Darjeeling Hills University at Mungpoo, Darjeeling, from 24–25 September 2026.

Representing ATREE were Repbamla Lepcha, Satkar Deep Thapa, Sangay Wangdi Bhutia, Saurabh Gurung and Dr Ugyal Tshering Lama Yolmo, who joined researchers, academics and practitioners for conversations on the region’s environment, communities and future.

From research and conservation to communication and community engagement, the conference provided a valuable space to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore possibilities for collaboration.

Two days of ideas, conversations and connections from the hills.

28/09/2026

The ATREE Regional Office is pleased to share that research by Dr Nakul Chettri, Associate Director, ATREE - THI, and colleagues on microplastic pollution in the Hindu Kush Himalaya has been featured by Research Matters.

The article, titled “Microplastic pollution surges across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, threatening over 2 billion lives dependent on Asia’s water tower,” highlights the findings and wider implications of the research.

We thank Research Matters for bringing this important work and its conservation implications to a wider audience.

🔗 Read the full coverage:

Scientists warn of a mounting global environmental crisis in one of the planet's most remote and majestic landscapes. Their new study found that the Hindu Kush Himalaya, widely known as the Water Towe...